Details of ditched archaeological sites recorded from aerial photos as crop marks, some now built over by new development. Used directly in the client's GIS system as an overlay to modern OS map bases and digitised ortho-rectified vertical aerial photographs. Digital map layers and a linked database contain interpretative details and references to the Hampshire Sites and Monuments Record and the National Monuments Record data.

Aerial photographic interpretation layer in use, in the GIS system at Test Valley Borough Council. This mapping defines the location and nature of archaeological sites, which range from groups of Bronze Age burial mounds through Iron Age field systems to Post-Medieval water meadows.

Archaeology and Planning: The Andover Local Plan
Test Valley Borough Council Local Plan - Andover Air Photo Interpretation

Frank Green, TVBC Heritage Officer, writes:
'At an early stage in the development of the Borough Local Plan it was realised that large areas of previously undeveloped landscape were being identified for future housing and commercial development. It was also realised that developers and their archaeological consultants would begin to undertake desk top assessments based on readily available data in the County Sites and Monuments Records and from published sources. It was perceived that there was a need to provide base line data for all competing firms. Initially this would involve checking and plotting all available aerial photographic information to update the SMR and to provide the data in digital form.'

'The AP data will be made freely available to all consultants who may be engaged in preparing archaeological assessments for the Andover major development area. The information will assist in identifying locations where field evaluation will be necessary. It is anticipated that the Council will commission aerial reconnaissance flights over parts of the area, particularly at the Roman cross roads site at East Anton to the east and north of Andover and where the chalk downland is capped by a thick layer of clay with flints.'